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Abstract

This article will examine the relationship between the individual'sinterest in privacy, reflected in such recent statutes as the Privacy Act of1974, and the public's right to know, which underlies legislation likethe Freedom of Information Act. The subject is of intrinsic importance,but it is particularly appropriate for an article in this lecture series,since privacy and disclosure were values of special interest toJustice Douglas. Neither the individual's right to privacy nor the public'sright to know is explicitly protected by the Constitution, but bothdo have constitutional overtones, and both are protected by variousstatutory provisions.